Tenant Screening Services: 11+ Best Landlord Services in 2023

It is necessary for landlords to pick the ideal tenants for their properties to ensure a smooth and trouble-free rental experience. By giving you a thorough background check on prospective tenants, tenant screening services may assist you in making better decisions. Many tenant screening services are available in 2023, and picking the best one can get tricky.

This post will look at a list of the top 11+ landlord services for tenant screening in 2023, what you should know before selecting tenant screening services, and general property management tips.

Tenant Screening Services

Landlords and property managers use tenant screening services to analyze potential renters to determine whether the individuals will adhere to the lease or rental agreement stipulations and take excellent care of the rental property. The process typically involves verifying the applicant’s credit history, income, rental history, eviction history, and criminal history. Tenant screening services are essential for landlords and property managers to help them find the best tenants for their properties.

Steps to follow when using a tenant screening service:

Create screening criteria: Make a list of screening criteria for each of your rental properties to create a fair and balanced process.
Find a screening service: Look for a reputable tenant screening company that can provide the information you need to make a good decision.
Choose a tenant screening service: Consider factors such as price, speed, breadth of services, and compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Consider the cost: Basic plans for tenant screening services range from $19 to $25 per applicant screened. You can negotiate a bulk pricing discount with some companies and get that price cut almost in half.
Verify the applicant’s background: Tenant screeners are contracted companies that collect public information like bankruptcies, liens, and judgments to estimate an applicant’s financial status. They’ll also search the sex offender registry and national and state criminal records.
Check for accuracy: Tenant screening companies can make mistakes, so it’s important to check for accuracy. While this seems simple enough to fix, a tenant with a perfect history may become confused with a felon, having a good application skipped over.
Protect consumer information: Choose a tenant screening service that protects consumer information in a manner consistent with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable regulations.
Be consistent: To protect yourself from discrimination, complaints, and even lawsuits, always be consistent when screening tenants. Stick to the screening criteria list and never make exceptions.
Choose a tenant screening service that fits your needs: Different tenant screening services may be better suited to different landlords and property managers, depending on their needs.

Best Tenant Screening Services

When selecting a tenant screening service, it is important to choose one that is reliable, accurate, and trustworthy.

Top 11+ Best Tenant Screening Services for Landlords to Consider

Some of the best tenant screening services for landlords include the following:

#1.TransUnion SmartMove:

This service offers credit checks explicitly designed for tenant screening and uses ResidentScore to predict rental eviction risk 15% better than traditional credit scores. It also offers income insights and the choice of who pays for the screening fee.

Why chose TransUnion SmartMove:

You can manage multiple properties from one account
You don’t have to be a member to ask for a report.
You can change the application for the check, which TransUnion will carry out per the FCRA.

#2. TenantCloud

This service offers background and credit checks, rental history reports, and employment and income verification. They also offer rental application and lease agreement services.

Why choose Tenant Cloud

It offers tools that make it easier for landlords and property managers to collaborate and manage their properties.
Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to tech-savvy landlords and more experienced users.
Landlords can integrate tenant invoices into TenantCloud to simplify billing utilities and fees.

#3. RentPrep

This service offers discounted bulk volume pricing and a RentPrep background check, including SSN verification, address history, evictions, judgments and liens, and bankruptcies. It also allows landlords to choose who pays for the screening fee.

Why chose RentPrep

It is associated with TransUnion
Their screeners are often FCRA certified
They offer discounts for landlords with multiple properties

#4. Avail

This service offers comprehensive screening reports, including a TransUnion credit report, a background check, and an eviction report. They also offer a free rental application to prospective tenants for their rental history, job history, and income verification. Avail can also be used as a turn-key solution for the rental management process.

Why chose Avail

For landlords in charge of a single rental property, practically all platform functions are provided without charge.
With Avail, renters can easily set up and submit online payments.
Avail’s pricing is competitive and cost-efficient

#5. VeriFirst

Instant reporting, integrated debt collection, and property management systems, simultaneous guarantor and co-applicant screening, and personalized acceptance and rejection letters are available.

Why chose VeriFirst

VeriFirst charges monthly for unlimited criminal, sex offender, and driving record searches.
VeriFirst lets users download and retain electronic certificates.
It offers services to help users comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act

#6. Experian RentBureau

Experian RentBureau is a credit reporting business that collects rent payment history from property owners, residential real estate managers, electronic rent payment providers, and collection companies. Tenant screening businesses provide this information to the multifamily housing market.

Why choose Experian RentBureau

Renters can establish credit by paying rent responsibly using Experian RentBureau’s rental payment history data.
It improves tenant screening by incorporating rental payment history data into tenant screening reports

#7. Real Page

This screening program helps property management organizations examine prospective tenants’ financial and criminal backgrounds, forecasting their reliability and lowering losses due to damage, failed payments, legal actions, and frequent turnover.

Why Choose Real Page

RealPage has many features to help property managers and owners handle finances, transactions, and rentals.
Its document management system enables customers to organize and securely save essential documents in the cloud, accessible from anywhere.
RealPage offers integration with other RealPage products giving additional functionality and efficiency.

#8. RentRedi

This service allows you to request a TransUnion credit report, criminal report, and eviction report for $35/per applicant. They also offer a pre-screening questionnaire before property showings to determine whether they meet your criteria.

Why Chose RChoosedi

RentRedi offers landlords with a user-friendly platform that is available from anywhere.
It is very affordable to use
RentRedi provides access to comprehensive credit, criminal, and eviction history reports for tenants

#9. National Tenant Network

This service offers a variety of screening reports, including credit reports, criminal and eviction histories, and employment and income verification. They also offer rental application and lease agreement services.

Why choose National Tenant Network

Gives a thorough tenant performance profile, including information on prior evictions and terrorist alerts.
With the help of the service’s mobile app, landlords may complete documents and applications while on the go.
The national tenant network offers DecisionPoint, simplifying the leasing process by collecting data and assigning tenant scores.

#10. RentSpree

RentSpree’s all-in-one platform simplifies renting. It has features for renters, agents, landlords, and owners.

Why chose RentSpree

RentSpree offers comprehensive TransUnion reports, including credit scores, eviction histories, and criminal records.
RentSpree offers screening solutions for individuals and large enterprises, streamlining the tenant selection procedure.
Since tenants are liable for screening fees, RentSpree is free for landlords.

Best Online Tenant Screening Services

The top seven best online tenant screening services for landlords are:

#1. First Advantage

This is the best online tenant screening service overall because of its broad scope of services, robust library of white papers and datasheets, and a human review process to minimize the risk of false positives. First Advantage provides rental, landlord, and utility debt histories and criminal background checks across every state.

#2. RentPrep

This is the best online tenant screening option for landlords with multiple properties because it offers services such as discounted bulk volume price. RentPrep has built a company that invests in the screening skills of its people so they can perform manual screening supported by technology.

#3. E-Renter

This is the best value online tenant screening service because it offers services including a comprehensive set of checks at a low price. The Basic Plan costs $21.95, including evictions, judgments, criminal background, sex offender status, liens, lawsuits, and bankruptcies. E-Renter’s more comprehensive plans are also less expensive than its competitors.

#3. SmartMove

TransUnion’s online tenant screening service is convenient and offers accessible services to individuals and small property management companies. This service is a product of TransUnion and offers a ResidentScore, a credit score specifically designed for tenant screening services. It analyzes resident records and uses additional rental data tailored for resident screening and rental history.

#4. MyRental

This is an innovative online suite of tenant screening services, including renter eviction history, background search reports, and tenant credit scores. This service offers screening reports focusing on applicant analysis, which can help take the guesswork out of evaluating leads. They offer a basic package for $24.99/per applicant and a premium package for $34.99/per applicant.

#5. RentScreener

This comprehensive tenant screening service offers credit, criminal, and eviction reports. RentScreener is FCRA-compliant and offers a quick and easy way to screen tenants.

#6. Cozy

This free tenant screening service offers credit, criminal, and eviction reports. Cozy is FCRA-compliant and offers a quick, easy way to screen tenants. However, some of the features may require a fee.

#7. Tenant Background Search

This comprehensive tenant screening service offers credit, criminal, and eviction reports. Tenant Background Search is FCRA compliant and offers a quick and easy way to screen tenants

Tenant Screening Services in California

The top tenant screening services for landlords in California are:

SmartMove
Rentberry
E-Renter
Capitol city background reporting
Experian Connect

What Background Check Do Most Landlords Use?

Regarding rental background checks, landlords typically look for information that will help them identify red flags and avoid problematic tenants. These background checks allow landlords to look deeper at rental applicants who might seem the right fit.

A rental background check is a tenant screening tool that allows landlords to see various aspects of an applicant’s past behavior. This data helps to paint a picture of how responsible a tenant might be by providing landlords with data on applicants’ credit scores and other details.

The personal details required during a rental background check include the potential tenant’s name, birthdate, and social security number. The rental applicant must provide as many personal details as possible, particularly their social security number, to obtain the correct information.

How Do You Scan Tenants?

Landlords need to scan tenants to ensure they select responsible and trustworthy tenants for their properties.

Here are the steps to scan tenants:

Review rental applications: This includes checking their employment history, rental history, and personal references. This can help you understand the tenant’s reliability and trustworthiness.
Run a credit check: Running a credit check is essential to understand how financially responsible the tenant is. Thus, helping you determine if they have a history of bad checks, bankruptcy, or other concerning financial behavior.
Conduct a background check: A background check can help verify the tenant’s identity and ensure they do not have a criminal history. You can use a third-party service to conduct a background check or search public records.
Verify income: Verifying the tenant’s income is essential to ensure they can afford the rent and are financially stable. You can ask for proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax returns, to verify their income.
Check eviction history: The tenant’s eviction history can also help you determine if they have been evicted and why. Hence, giving you an idea of their reliability as a tenant.

What Is Naborly Screening?

Naborly Screening is a tenant screening service that helps landlords and property managers assess the risk of renting to a potential tenant. It uses a combination of artificial intelligence and human analysis to provide a comprehensive report on the tenant’s background, credit history, employment status, and more.

Here are some key features and benefits of Naborly screening:

Naborly Screening offers a range of reports tailored to different rental properties, including apartments, houses, and condos.
It uses a variety of data sources to verify a tenant’s identity, income, and rental history.
Also, it offers a range of pricing options, including a free basic report and paid premium reports with additional features and benefits.
Naborly screening is widely regarded as one of the best tenant screening services in the industry. Also, its combination of human expertise and advanced technology helps landlords and property managers make informed decisions about potential tenants.

What Questions Should I Ask For Tenant Screening?

When screening potential tenants, asking questions that can help you make an informed decision and avoid potential issues is essential.

Some questions you can ask during the tenant screening include the following:

Why are you moving?
Can you provide me with contact information for your current and previous landlords?
Did you provide proper notice before moving out of your previous rental?
Did you maintain the rental property well?
Were there any significant damages or maintenance issues during your tenancy?
Did you pay rent on time?
Were there any complaints from neighbors or other tenants?
Can you provide proof of income?
Do you have any pets?
How many people will be living in the rental?
Do you smoke?
Do you have any questions or concerns about the rental or lease terms?

It is important to note that there are specific questions that landlords should avoid asking to prevent discrimination against protected classes. These include questions about a tenant’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin.

How Do I Scan Checks in Rent Manager?

To scan checks in Rent Manager, you can follow these steps:

Open the Rent Manager software and navigate to the tenant’s account, where the check payment needs to be recorded.
Click on the “Receive Payment” button.
In the payment window, select the “Check” payment method.
Enter the check number, amount, and date.
Click on the “Scan” button to scan the check using your scanner.
Verify that the scanned image is clear and legible.
Click the “Save” button to save the payment and attach the scanned image to the tenant’s account.

What Is a Soft Background Check?

A soft background check is a type of credit inquiry that a company or an individual initiates and does not affect the credit score of the person being checked. Soft inquiries can happen without a person’s consent or knowledge, and they are generally used for pre-screening candidates for special offers or when a prospective employer is conducting a background check. Soft inquiries can be part of a basic background check, which is a type of background check that includes the minimum information needed to make a decision.